I think it was a great find..that's why I brought it to the attention of dh, since that's what he used to design. He said that if the hot tap is done correctly, there will be no change in pressure. But he also qualified the statement saying that so much of the success of the ht requires experienced installers and the correct specs of the equipment used in the hot tap.
That was the issue that set off his BS meter. He also said that all the major companies that he deals with look out for this kind of stuff. You obviously can't protect thousands of miles of pipeline, but the do have their "ears to the ground".
Good AM all.